With seven combat vehicles, operational kits and an order to stamp out cultism, armed robbery and kidnapping, the Lagos State Police Command inaugurated its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) yesterday.

The vehicles and kits, provided by the State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), were unveiled at the unit’s office in Ijora Olopa during a well-attended ceremony.

Addressing the unit’s operatives, Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani, warned against harassment, intimidation and extortion of residents.

He said the VCRU was an initiative and directive of the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu, adding that it was established to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve rapid response to violent crimes and boost public safety across the state.

“The VCRU is not a unit of harassment, intimidation or unlawful conduct. Every officer must carry out his or her duties with discipline, professionalism, accountability and respect for the rule of law and the fundamental rights of citizens,” said CP Tijani.

He warned that any officer found engaging in misconduct or violating residents’ rights would face disciplinary action.

He urged them to serve with integrity, courage and professionalism.

Tijani said effective policing depended on intelligence gathering and collaboration with residents, urging Lagosians to continue providing timely, credible information to security agencies.

Specifically, he appealed to the Ojora of Ijora to tell youths in the community not to antagonise unit operatives but to see them as partners to ensure improved security and peace.

The commissioner thanked the IGP for supporting initiatives to improve operational effectiveness nationwide, praising the Lagos State Government and LSSTF for providing logistics and tactical vehicles that had strengthened the command’s operational capacity.

LSSTF Executive Secretary, Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, described Lagos as Nigeria’s safest state, attributing this to sustained investment in security, strong stakeholder collaboration and the commitment of security agencies.

Ogunsan said the establishment of the VCRU was a timely response to emerging security challenges, and announced that the fund had provided seven tactical vehicles to boost the unit’s operations.

He disclosed that the LSSTF had also supplied more than 1,200 police uniforms and other equipment to improve officers’ welfare.

The LSSTF boss appealed to residents, corporate organisations and the private sector to continue supporting the trust fund through donations, noting that it relies largely on voluntary contributions rather than government subventions.

Ogunsan urged the police to properly utilise and maintain all operational assets provided by the fund, and called on residents to remain security-conscious, avoid spreading fake news, and continue supplying useful information to security agencies.

Earlier, the Officer in Charge of the VCRU, CSP Oyin Oremosu, assured Lagos residents that it would operate with courage, discipline, integrity, and professionalism, and uphold the rule of law.

Oremosu said the personnel were committed to operational excellence and accountable service.

The officer said the command was committed to partnering with residents by encouraging them to provide credible information and remain vigilant in their communities.

The Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos State chapter, Olalekan Adigun, commended the police command for involving young people in its policing initiatives and for establishing the VCRU.

Adigun described the initiative as a strategic step towards tackling violent crime, noting that many security challenges involve young people and that their inclusion in security conversations was necessary.

He pledged the youth council’s partnership with the police but urged VCRU officers to conduct operations professionally and avoid harassing or victimising young residents.

He commended the police command for strengthening security by providing operational equipment, expressing optimism that continued collaboration between the police and the public would enhance safety across the state. (The Nation)